Indonesia upsets Thailand for tennis gold medal
Indonesia upsets Thailand for tennis gold medal
By Primastuti Handayani
JAKARTA (JP): A gritty performance by Liza Andriyani clinched
Indonesia's surprise win over top seeded Thailand in the women's
tennis team event yesterday.
Liza, 18, retrieved relentlessly to pull out a win over Thai
number one Tamarine Tanasugarn 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) in the crucial
second singles of the best-of-three tie.
Wynne Prakusya had put the team ahead after beating Suvimol
Duangchon 6-1, 6-1.
As Tanasugarn's backhand sailed out, Liza raised both arms in
triumph and looked at Indonesian Tennis Association chairman
Sarwono Kusumaatmadja. Non-playing captain Alfred Raturandang
rushed on to court and lifted Liza up.
Team members Wynne, Liza, Wukirasih Sawondari and Irawati
Moerid Iskandar performed an impromptu dance for spectators to
celebrate the win. Sarwono and National Sports Council chairman
Wismoyo Arismunandar congratulated them.
In the doubles, Wukirasih/Irawati beat Marissa
Siroj/Duangchan 6-3, 6-2.
In the previous Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Indonesia also
won the gold, but that team included Yayuk Basuki, Southeast
Asia's best women's player.
Liza started shakily in losing the first set to
Tanasugarn, currently world ranked 37.
But she began a fight in the second, backed by 2,000
spectators in the Senayan tennis complex.
In the final set, both players went head-to-head until 4-4.
Liza broke Tanusagarn and prepared to serve for the match.
The momentum shifted once again as a nervy Liza lost serve and
committed several unforced errors to fall behind 5-6.
Liza showed her mettle by holding serve at love to set up the
tiebreak.
Tanusagarn led 3-1 before Liza crept back to 4-4. Liza took
two more points to give herself two match points. The Thai saved
one with a forehand, but Liza would not be denied on the second.
"This year we were the underdog with the absence of Yayuk
Basuki, but we had the motivation to beat Thailand," Alfred said.
"I told Liza to keep on fighting against Tamarine. If Tamarine
won, it wouldn't be a big deal because her ranking is much
higher."
Liza was stunned by her win.
"It's unbelievable, because I was very down at 5-4 in the
third set. I fell and I was very nervous.
"Thanks to Oom (uncle) Alfred, I could control my emotion and
played better in the tiebreak."
Liza said strong swirling winds were also a factor. Several
sponsor boards and umbrellas fell during the match, forcing the
umpire to halt play temporarily.
Tanusagarn said Liza had played well, but recommended that the
line judges should be from several countries in future events.
"I think every court has a problem with the officials, but in
Thailand we have linesmen from other countries, not like here.
"I played well in the first set but Liza played better in the
second. In the decider, we were even but I was unlucky."
The odds are against them, but the Thai men have a chance to
avenge their countrywomen's loss in the team final today. They
upset the Philippines and Indonesia beat Vietnam in whitewashes
in yesterday's semifinals.
Suwandi crushed Tran Duc Quynh 6-1, 6-2, while compatriot
Andrian Raturandang defeated On Tan Luc 6-4, 6-2. Men's doubles
Sulistyo Wibowo/Bonit Wiryawan beat On Tan Luc/Truong Quoc Hung
6-3, 6-3.
Thailand's Thongkhumchoo beat Robert Angelo 7-5, 6-1, Paradorn
Srichaphan outlasted Bryan Juinio 6-4, 6-2, and Narathorn
Srichaphan/Vittaya Samrej dampened an early fight by Michael
Misa/Joseph Lizardo 7-5, 6-1.